The Odisha government never tires of patting itself on its back for the steps it has supposedly taken to promote tourism and attract tourists to the state. But the facts run counter to its claim.

In an example of the seriousness – or the lack of it, to be more accurate – the government failed to furnish the required documents to the Centre for getting grants for development of a tribal museum at Koraput even after repeated reminders of the Union government since 2009.

The government had sent a proposal to the Union Culture and Tourism Ministry in December 2009 for financial assistance under Museum Grant Scheme for development of a tribal museum at Koraput. However, when the Ministry asked for the required information, it did not comply after repeated reminders leaving the Centre with no option but to shelve the proposal..

“The proposal received in November, 2009 was examined in the Ministry and was found incomplete. Deficiency Memo was sent to the organization on 29 December 2009 to furnish the requisite information/ documents. A reminder was issued on 12 February 2014. Since no reply was received from the organization, the proposal was reviewed and closed for want of reply,” said Culture & Tourism Minister Shripad Yesso Naik in a written reply in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

The Minister informed the House that there is no separate scheme in the Ministry for promotion of tribal culture and museum.

He said under the existing schemes, financial assistance is given for promotion of culture and museums, including tribal culture and tribal museum.